I had
half a dozen more like him, we'd hold Brede House till the day there's
liberty in Ireland;" so I accosted him.

"The top o' the morning to you," said I genially.

He eyed me up and down, especially glancing at the sword by my side,
and then said civilly:

"The same to you, sir. You seem to be looking for some one?"

"I am," said I, "I'm looking for nine men."

"If you'll tell me their names I'll tell you where to find them, for I
know everybody in Rye."

"If that's the case you'll know their names, which is more than I do
myself."

"Then you're not acquainted with them?"

"I am not; but if you'll tell me your name I think then I'll know one
of them."

There was a twinkle in his eye as he said:

"They call me Tom Peel."

"Then Tom," said I, "are there eight like you in the town of Rye?"

"Not quite as big perhaps," said Tom, "but there's plenty of good men
here, as the French have found out before now,--yes, and the
constables as well. What do you want nine men for?"

"Because I have nine swords and nine pistols that will fit that number
of courageous subjects."

"Then it's not for the occupation of agriculture you require them?"
said Peel with the hint of a laugh. "There's a chance of a cut in the
ribs, I suppose, for swords generally meet other swords."

"You're right in that; but I don't think the chance is very strong."

"And perhaps a term in prison when the scrimmage is ended?"

"No fear of that at all at all; for if any one was to go to prison it
would be me, who will be your leader, and not you, who will be my
dupes, do you see?"

Peel shrugged his shoulders.

"My experience of the world is that the man with gold lace on his
coat goes free, while they punish the poor devil in the leather
jacket. But, turn the scheme out bad or ill, how much money is at the
end of it?"

"There'll be ten guineas at the end of it for each man, win or lose."

"And when will the money be paid?"

"Half before you leave Rye, the other half in a week's time, and
perhaps before,--a week's time at the latest; but I want men who will
not turn white if a blunderbuss happens to go off."

The rascallion smiled and spat contemptuously in the dust before him.

"If you show me the guineas," said he, "I'll show you the men."

"Here's five of them, to begin with, that won't be counted against
you. There'll be five more in your pocket when we leave Rye, and a
third five when the job's ended."

His big hand c